Dawes County Noxious Weeds

Scotch thistle is a biennial plant native to Asia and Europe. This plant has a course, spiny stem with spiny leaves. In the first year of life, it will develop a rosette. In the second, it will shoot up a stalk that can grow up to 3 feet. The flowers are spherical and bright purple.

Houndstongue is a biennial forb that has rosette-style leaves. During the first year of life, it will form a rossette, and the second year will bring a reddish-purple flowering stem. The plant can grow to be four feet tall, and the stem is velvety to the touch.

Giant knotweed is a perennial plant that can grow over 12 feet tall. It has hollow stems that are green and jointed, The leaves alternate up the stem and are oval in shape, with a tapering tip. This plant has greenish-white flowers. The fruit is papery.

Field bindweed is a climbing or creeping perrennial plant that can grow up to 2 meters in length. The stem is thin, and the leaves, which alternate up the stem, are arrowhead-shaped. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and often are white or pale pink. Fruits are small, light brown circles.

Bohemian knotweed is an extremely tall plant that is often found in dry areas. It is similar to the Japanese knotweed. Stems are reddish-brown and branched. The leaves are heart-shaped and large. The leaves are also thick and rough. Hairs often grow on the undersides of the leaves, and the flower clusters are cream-colored.